The hit on Trevor Lawrence

[Seahawks Guy]

Obviously a penalty and late hit. Player was ejected for it, and will probably be fined and maybe suspended.

If the NFL doesn't have this rule where you can't hit a QB after he begins his slide, this doesn't happen. Lawrence would have instead protected himself instead of leaving himself vulnerable hoping the defensive players will follow the rules and not misjudge.

If a QB fakes a slide, then defenders will hesitate to hit him, not wanting to risk a fine and suspension. Then the QB continues to run for another 20 yards. So then defenders will just think you know what we want to win these games so might as well just hit the motherf*****.

Hitting the QB is an age-old strategy to keep them rattled. It will never go away. Defensive players do not want to miss an opportunity to rattle a QB, which likely leads to situations like the Lawrence hit, where they misjudge or simply think it's worth it to commit the foul. After all, it probably did help the Texans win.

Some of you may think it's not that complicated. That the guy just chose to make a dirty hit and deserves to be suspended for a year and fined hundreds of thousands of dollars or whatever to set a precedent. That's a fair opinion, too, but I like to think about the nuances and complexities of such situations and how it relates to the game itself.

 

[Aircrew]

That was pretty sickening to watch, what was Al-Shaair thinking? Reminds me of something Vontaze Burfict would do. Heavy fine and a multi-game suspension, IMO.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Yeah, he could have avoided it, imo. He blasted him, and it was by choice.

 

[Ozzy]

He has a history of it. If the NFL wants it to stop they need make the penalty super severe.

 

[JPatera76]

it’s bs they ejected jones (jags player)

 

[Seahawks Guy]

He has a history of it. If the NFL wants it to stop they need make the penalty super severe.

This would be effective, but this kind of precedent would make defensive players even more weary of hitting somebody. There's a big difference between risking an ejection and personal foul penalty and risking a year long suspension with hundreds of thousands in fines.

In other words, defensive play would get even softer than it is today. Maybe that's what we want?

 

[SoulfishHawk]

He flat out saw the early slide. He flat out CHOSE to blast him. I get what you're saying, but this isn't one of those 50/50, what's a defensive player supposed to do type things.

 

[Bobblehead]

He apologized.. doesn't, didn't mean a thing, he went after Trevor with intent and purpose. Even the Texans were looking at him like WTF?

 

[SoulfishHawk]

VERY good point. His own teammates were like........dude.

 

[Seahawks Guy]

it’s bs they ejected jones (jags player)

I didn't see exactly what he did, but if he was throwing punches or excessively shoving and getting in Al-Shaair's face, then he should be ejected.

There's no reason to retaliate like that. It's immature, it escalates the situation, it interferes with the officials ability to do their job, and it just pisses off Al-Shaair even more. He was no threat to hurt anyone else once the play was over.

 

[bigskydoc]

I didn't see exactly what he did, but if he was throwing punches or excessively shoving and getting in Al-Shaair's face, then he should be ejected.

There's no reason to retaliate like that. It's immature, it escalates the situation, it interferes with the officials ability to do their job, and it just pisses off Al-Shaair even more. He was no threat to hurt anyone else once the play was over.

Doesn't seem to be a problem with hockey. Having an enforcer on the roster is part of the game. Retaliatory hits are part of the game. Fights are part of the game. Everyone has his head on a swivel, and protects himself (supporting your OP argument). Refs are able to do their job, letting the players exhaust themselves before jumping in.

Is there some sort of difference between NHL and NFL athletes that prevents the latter from controlling themselves in the same manner?

Not that I disagree with the argument in your OP. The judgement call needs to be taken out of the QB slide. All QB's should be protected/ non-protected under the same standard. If we are going to allow protected slides, then there needs to be severe penalties for anything that looks like an attempt to fake a slide, or a slide that appears to be initiated then abandonded. IMHO, players like Mahomes, Jackson, and Allen are as responsible for what happened here as is the slide rule.

 

[sutz]

Meh, he led with his forearm to the head. That's intent.

 

[Sperrydogg]

Obviously a penalty and late hit. Player was ejected for it, and will probably be fined and maybe suspended.

If the NFL doesn't have this rule where you can't hit a QB after he begins his slide, this doesn't happen. Lawrence would have instead protected himself instead of leaving himself vulnerable hoping the defensive players will follow the rules and not misjudge.

If a QB fakes a slide, then defenders will hesitate to hit him, not wanting to risk a fine and suspension. Then the QB continues to run for another 20 yards. So then defenders will just think you know what we want to win these games so might as well just hit the motherf*****.

Hitting the QB is an age-old strategy to keep them rattled. It will never go away. Defensive players do not want to miss an opportunity to rattle a QB, which likely leads to situations like the Lawrence hit, where they misjudge or simply think it's worth it to commit the foul. After all, it probably did help the Texans win.

Some of you may think it's not that complicated. That the guy just chose to make a dirty hit and deserves to be suspended for a year and fined hundreds of thousands of dollars or whatever to set a precedent. That's a fair opinion, too, but I like to think about the nuances and complexities of such situations and how it relates to the game itself.

Coming from a guy named fender bender…

 

[Sperrydogg]

He totally was trying knock him the $uck out like Debo in Friday… unacceptable and I would fought him too for that

 

[Sperrydogg]

It’s one thing to rattle a QB and another to try to kill him…

 

[SoulfishHawk]

And if someone did that to Geno, our guys would do the exact same thing. Gotta' protect your own.

 

[ivotuk]

Meh, he led with his forearm to the head. That's intent.

Looked like he went right to the chin with his forearm. There was no doubt about intent.

Good to see his team mates go after the offender. That will give other players pause n it comes to a cheap shot.

Is be more worried about how team mates will respond than the NFL

 

[Seahawks Guy]

Doesn't seem to be a problem with hockey. Having an enforcer on the roster is part of the game. Retaliatory hits are part of the game. Fights are part of the game. Everyone has his head on a swivel, and protects himself (supporting your OP argument). Refs are able to do their job, letting the players exhaust themselves before jumping in.

Is there some sort of difference between NHL and NFL athletes that prevents the latter from controlling themselves in the same manner?

Not that I disagree with the argument in your OP. The judgement call needs to be taken out of the QB slide. All QB's should be protected/ non-protected under the same standard. If we are going to allow protected slides, then there needs to be severe penalties for anything that looks like an attempt to fake a slide, or a slide that appears to be initiated then abandonded. IMHO, players like Mahomes, Jackson, and Allen are as responsible for what happened here as is the slide rule.

Fighting in Hockey is already a controversial thing, and is only allowed because of tradition. As a result of those fights, players have sustained permanent injuries and concussions. There is little evidence to show that allowing such fights actually prevents players from playing dirty. If I did something borderline dirty, and an opposing player punched me, that would just make me want to punch him back and play even dirtier.

I recall the NBA made it a rule where players can't leave the bench in response to something that happens on the court.

If dirty hits are bad because they cause injuries, then fighting in retaliation is also bad because fights cause injuries too.

Glad you agree about the rule. I think the rule just gives a false sense of protection to the QBs.

 

[JPatera76]

Fighting in Hockey is already a controversial thing, and is only allowed because of tradition. As a result of those fights, players have sustained permanent injuries and concussions. There is little evidence to show that allowing such fights actually prevents players from playing dirty. If I did something borderline dirty, and an opposing player punched me, that would just make me want to punch him back and play even dirtier.

I recall the NBA made it a rule where players can't leave the bench in response to something that happens on the court.

If dirty hits are bad because they cause injuries, then fighting in retaliation is also bad because fights cause injuries too.

Glad you agree about the rule. I think the rule just gives a false sense of protection to the QBs.

I dont disagree with your previous post, and 100% agree the Allens, Mahomes, and Jacksons make it hard when Ive seen at least Mahomes and Jackson do some "fake slide" where they act as if they're about to slide. IMO any form or act of sliding even faking it.. it should be just called dead/end play. That way defenders don't have to think "oh man is he gunna fake me out or actually slide.."

I dont know just spitballing. its very much a damned if you do damned if you don't. However in this situation being the defender used forearm/elbow intent was clear and IF I was the league, and wanting to send a message well... I guess that players intentions hurt the team as they'd be done for the rest of the season. And not make it appealable.

 

[CalgaryFan05]

Obviously a penalty and late hit. Player was ejected for it, and will probably be fined and maybe suspended.

If the NFL doesn't have this rule where you can't hit a QB after he begins his slide, this doesn't happen. Lawrence would have instead protected himself instead of leaving himself vulnerable hoping the defensive players will follow the rules and not misjudge.

If a QB fakes a slide, then defenders will hesitate to hit him, not wanting to risk a fine and suspension. Then the QB continues to run for another 20 yards. So then defenders will just think you know what we want to win these games so might as well just hit the motherf*****.

Hitting the QB is an age-old strategy to keep them rattled. It will never go away. Defensive players do not want to miss an opportunity to rattle a QB, which likely leads to situations like the Lawrence hit, where they misjudge or simply think it's worth it to commit the foul. After all, it probably did help the Texans win.

Some of you may think it's not that complicated. That the guy just chose to make a dirty hit and deserves to be suspended for a year and fined hundreds of thousands of dollars or whatever to set a precedent. That's a fair opinion, too, but I like to think about the nuances and complexities of such situations and how it relates to the game itself.

I thought it was intentional - originally I thought it was helmet to helmet - but wasn't it his arm - he purposely pulled it up to strike at the last second.

I thought the ejection was warranted. I think a couple game suspension is warranted as well.

Honestly - I think if a QB 'fakes' the start of a slide there should be an equal penalty.

I like how after he got ejected he's yelling at EVERYONE ELSE after the fact. I'm like Dude - YOU did it WTF.

I'd have preferred the refs to step aside and let the Jags take care of business - but I guess that's the 1970's in me talking